12-26-2025 | Global justice rulings, market moves, emerging chip technology and new White House plans shape the news agenda.

International. Malaysian court convicts Najib Razak. A Malaysian court found former prime minister Najib Razak guilty of abuse of power in a major trial linked to the one Malaysia Development Berhad corruption scandal, marking a key moment in one of Southeast Asia’s most significant legal cases; the decision concludes years of judicial proceedings and may still be challenged through appeals within Malaysia’s legal system. Markets. Precious metals rally as trading resumes. Silver reached new record levels while gold and platinum also advanced as financial markets reopened after the Christmas holiday, supported by thin year end liquidity and expectations of future interest rate cuts in the United States; oil prices also moved higher as investors monitored geopolitical tensions and potential supply disruptions. Innovation. Researchers unveil three dimensional chip design. Researchers introduced a prototype three dimensional semiconductor that vertically integrates memory and computing components, aiming to reduce internal data transfer delays and boost performance in artificial intelligence applications; the technology remains in the experimental phase, with additional testing and scaling required before commercial use. Politics. White House plans East Wing ballroom presentation. The White House announced plans to present a proposal in January for a new ballroom in the East Wing, with the initiative added to the official government planning schedule; no construction timeline or cost estimates were disclosed in the initial announcement.